Mooney M20-F | N9573M

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot initiated a VMC departure from runway 16 on an IFR flight plan, and then became surprised by a pronounced engine backfire, and loss of thrust, as reported by numerous witnesses. The accident pilot then turned slightly right, then left, in an apparent attempt to return to runway 09, or the departure runway. The aggressive left turn while attempting to climb resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact. The engine continued to run and produce power through the entire accident sequence. Numerous ground witnesses heard the engine problem and observed a puff of smoke as the accident aircraft climbed initially, reaching a maximum height of around 200 feet AGL. The accident pilot impacted with the left wing low and while fully stalled, and just short of an open area. The left side of the cockpit impacted a rigid utility pole directly across from 716 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA, causing the death of the accident pilot. The right seat occupant survived and was extracted from the wreckage by emergency services, but died a few days later. There was no post impact fire. The Probable Cause of this accident is the accident pilot’s decision to turn aggressively when surprised, while the airplane appeared to continue to climb with the engine running, before it entered a very steep left turn to the northeast. The Probable Cause was a failed Impossible Turn.

NTSB: Probable Cause issued 10/16/2026 – 16 months after the accident: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering to return to the airport which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the improperly installed No. 2 cylinder bottom spark plug by maintenance personnel, which came loose and resulted in an engine backfire on takeoff.

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to be fully ready for any engine abnormal after takeoff, and to be fully ready to accept a wings level off field landing in a pre briefed location. The DTSB highly recommends pre takeoff planning for an off field landing with wings level, with the landing gear retracted, and at the slowest possible touchdown. The Impossible Turn is usually both impossible and fatal.

NTSB: NONE